Wednesday, February 15, 2012

PEKE WINS WESTMINSTER!

GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy

It had been a drama filled two days full of upsets. Only two dog in Cindy Vogels’ Best In Show line up had been the Number One Dog in his Group last year, the Pekingese, GCH CH PalaceGarden Malachy, and the German Shepherd Dog, GCH CH Babheim‘s Captain Crunch. The Number One Sporting Dog, the Number One Terrier, and Number One Non-Sporting Dog all failed to make it out of the breed competitions while the Number One Hound, and the Number One Working Dog were bested in the Group contests.

Another major surprise for the crowd was the presence in the final seven of the 2010 Number One Sporting Dog, the Irish Setter, GCH CH Shadagee Caught Red Handed. Emily had taken maternity leave and like most of the mothers in America returned to work as soon as the 15 little ones could fend for themselves. Only Heidi Klum & Emily could make it look so easy. Joining Malachy, Capi, & Emily in the big arena were the Wirehaired Dachshund, GCH CH Raydachs Playing With Fire V Gleishorbach SW, the Doberman Pinscher, GCH CH Protocol’s Veni Vidi Vici, the Kerry Blue Terrier, GCH CH Perrisblu Kennislain’s Chelsey, and the Dalmatian, GCH CH Spotlight’s Ruffian.

Judge Vogels task was complicated by the fact that every one of the final seven performed beautifully. The first to be examined was the GSD, Capi, who covered the ring effortlessly and return to walk into a perfect free stack in front of the judge like a body builder posing for a girl on the beach. The Doberman, FiFi, matched the Shepherd in movement and came back to the judge with an intensity that only a Dobie can muster. Emily flashed around the ring like the red headed diva she is and showed the rollicking sense of humor that is characteristic of the Irish Setter. The Kerry Blue Terrier, Chelsey, was at the top of her game and up on her toes, every bit the flirtatious ingénue she is. The Dal, Ian, moved purposefully around the ring dressed in the formal black & white coat. The small Dachshund, Cinders, showed the big guys he could cover the floor just as well as they and schooled the rest on how to impress the judge with his tail wagging furiously as she went over him on the table.

Finally, it was the Peke, Malachy’s turn. Moving with the oriental roll that only a Pekingese can claim, he took his time going back to the judge, looked up at her with those melting eyes and said, “try and ignore me.” The odds makers in Las Vegas had been right all along. Despite all the surprises and upsets during the show, this favorite was going to claim the biggest prize of his career. The BIS announcement was greeted with thunderous applause as the owner/handler David Fitzpatrick swept up the Peke, Malachy and took him to the presenters to accept his award.

Malachy had worked hard these last two years for the prize, finishing both 2010 & 2011 as the Number One Toy Dog and the Number Two Dog All Breeds. He had won the Group at the 2010 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship & at the 2011 Westminster Kennel Club show. It was Malachy’s 115th all breed BIS, a feat only a handful of dogs can claim. Our congratulations to David, breeders John & Jean Smith, and owners Iris Love & Sandra Middlebrook. Our thanks to all of them for sharing this beautiful dog with us all these past two years.

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comments:

Malachy was certainly a very deserving winner, as anyone who has seen this dog over the past two years could attest. But particularly striking was the surprising number of top dogs who failed to make it out of breed. Quite often those of us watching at ringside hear complaints about judges who put up the dogs with the most wins, the biggest ad campaigns, the best handlers, etc. But what we saw this year at Westminster should be a real reminder that it's "the dog on the day."

Your statement, "on the day" really was spot-on. I couldn't wait to see the giant-killer black cocker. How good (or lucky) could this dog be to take out the # 1 dog all-breeds? I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to see a delightfully typey, sound and showy boy. Add to that the G-K Pharaoh Hound & Std Poodle from Canada, among others & they did support your comments. On the other hand, some of the top dogs looked a bit "tired" IMO. The huge campaigns can take a toll on a dog, no matter how well cared for.

We all hear/know the good, bad, and ugly of the dog fancy. But when those 7 beautiful dogs entered the ring and did their go arounds, it was magic. Made me hug my pack and be glad that I have a small part in this world.

What an exciting end to the show this year! I was secretly rooting for Ian, since I rarely see Dalmations make it to the BIS lineup. However, Malachy was beautiful and very deserving of 1st place. I love that Westminster takes the time to show on tv every dog who has made it to the group ring. Too often I watch shows who only highlight the dogs who rank in the group. I really appreciate that they take the time to show every breed.

Hope you didn't miss out on the action at the Westminster Dog Show last night! Check out MSG Soundcheck for full behind the scenes doggy coverage galleries and join us in celebrating Malachy, this years winner "Best in Show"! www.msgsoundcheck.com/dogs

NUMBER EIGHT

NUMBER NINE

NUMBER TEN

SHOW INFO

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The author has been attending dog shows as a spectator and exhibitor for over 45 years. He is a retired management consultant who has advised multiple organizations affiliated with the AKC and the Cat Fanciers Association on business management, long range planning, customer service, and legislative matters. After 25 years of living in the big cities of New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, he now resides in his hometown of Memphis, TN.

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